Cable securing device

ABSTRACT

A cable securing device facilitates secure connection to a cabling end, and employs a retaining cap, a barrel and a cable receiving component. Embodiments of the cable receiving component include a retaining jaw, a spacer gland and a fastening ring maintained within an interior cavity of the barrel. In various embodiments, the cable receiving component is retained in a substantially axially static position within the barrel upon insertion of a cable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cable securing device thatfacilitates connection with a cable end and pulling the cable.

BACKGROUND

Proper wiring and cable management in building structures is essentialto the safe and effective operation of the building's electrical andcabling operation. Further, proper connection to a cable, wire, pipe,tube or similar elongated element is important to maintaining asufficient grip on the element.

When wiring or cabling needs to be protected from potential damage, itcan be pulled through various types of conduits. Conduit can be made ofmetal, rigid plastic (e.g., PVC) and other materials, and wiring orcabling can vary from very thin wires that may be bundled for passagethrough a conduit to very thick cables that may not be joined to anyother wires or cabling when passed through a conduit. Further, piping,tubing and other larger elements that require pulling must besufficiently connected to the pulling device to complete the task,whether it will be pulled through a conduit or not. For purposes of thepresent disclosure, the term “cable” or “cabling” may be used throughoutthe present disclosure to refer to any type of wire, cable, piping,tubing or similar elongated element that can be inserted and pulled,whether through a conduit or otherwise.

While conduit can be lengthy and provided with curves as necessitated bya building's structure, it can be difficult to pull cabling through evenshort lengths of conduit. Traditionally, tools such as electrician'sfish tape have been used to attach to the end of a cable and pull thecable through the conduit. Generally, fish tapes are made of strongmaterial such as steel to support pulling loads and have a loop on oneend to which the end of the cable can be secured. In instances where thecable being pulled is not insulated, or where the insulation has beenstripped at the end secured to the fish tape, electrical tape may beapplied to the bare segments of the cable. Other methods besides usingfish tape, such as pushing or wiggling cable through conduit, forexample, have been tried with generally unsatisfactory results.

Further, in large diameter wire, cabling, tubing or pipe, a compressiondevice can be used to compress and/or crimp the cable end. The cablingis then pulled, for example, through a conduit, and the compressed orcrimped end is cut off and thrown away.

Unfortunately, the fish tape method, compression method and othermethods of cable pulling do not always work properly, and if the fishtape or compressed portion of the device separates from the cable duringthe process of pulling the cable through a conduit, it can be verydifficult to remove the inserted cable to re-start the process.Oftentimes in such situations, the conduit must be removed and/or brokento obtain access to the end of the cable, which can be extremely costlyand time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides, in part, a push-on cable securingdevice, assembly and method that facilitates the secure connection ofcabling ends for pulling the cabling, whether through a conduit orotherwise, without a compression tool, without damage to the cabling andwhile minimizing risk of detachment during the pulling process.

In various embodiments, the device and assembly can employ a retainingcap, a barrel or tube with a tapered interior wall and a cable receivingcomponent. The cable receiving component can include a spacer gland, afastening ring and a retaining jaw, or a subset thereof, and theelements of the cable receiving component may either be joined togetheras individual elements or provided as an integrated cartridge. Inembodiments, a first fastening device in the form of a retaining jaw isinserted into the barrel, followed by a second fastening device in theform of a fastening ring, followed by the spacer gland. Each of theseelements is axially movable within the barrel along the barrel's axiswhen installed and when removed; however, each element is retained in asubstantially axially static position within the barrel when the deviceis fully assembled with the retaining cap fully secured to the barrel.In various embodiments, the barrel can be provided with a thread at oneend for securely engaging the retaining cap, and an internal taper atthe other end. One end of the retaining cap has a thread for mating withthe barrel's thread. The retaining cap is also formed with a centralopening through which a rigid lanyard may extend. In variousembodiments, a bulb or shank ball segment of the rigid lanyard isretained within the interior of the retaining cap such that, as therigid lanyard is pulled, the shank ball segment engages the retainingcap and the full device with barrel and cable receiving component can bepulled as a unit.

When a cable is inserted into the opening of the barrel opposite thelanyard, the cable engages the cable receiving component as the cableextends back to the inner edge of the retaining cap, after which timethe jaws of the fastening device and the fastening ring grip the outeredge of the cable. In various embodiments, the device adapts to a cablethat may have its insulation stripped at the outer tip, such thatinternal wires are inserted into the opening of the barrel. In suchcases, the retaining jaw and fastening ring grip the internal wires ofthe cable. Once the cable and/or internal wires are gripped, the cableis in the secure grasp of the fastening device. At such time, a fishtape or other pulling apparatus can be secured to the loop in the rigidlanyard for pulling the cable. Embodiments of the device as disclosedherein can provide over 10,000 pound-force of resistance and therebyimprove performance with fewer internal elements and reduced necessityfor moving parts.

In various embodiments, the retaining jaw has axial slits that separatedifferent gripping components of the retaining jaw. In variousembodiments, one of the slits extends completely along the axial lengthof the retaining jaw, forming a split in the retaining jaw device. Whilethe elements held within the barrel are axially movable along theinterior surface of the barrel, in various embodiments, once theretaining cap is in place, the retaining jaw, fastening ring and spacergland do not move axially within the barrel, even when engaging aninserted cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cable securingdevice in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in partialcross-section.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel member engaged with theretaining cap and with inserted elements in the barrel in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel member in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to embodimentsof the present disclosure with a cable inserted through the retainingjaw element of the device.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to embodimentsof the present disclosure with a cable inserted through the retainingjaw, fastening ring and spacer gland elements of the device.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to embodimentsof the present disclosure with a cable inserted through the device andretained by the fastening ring and retaining jaw elements.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a cable receiving component inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 14-14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a cable receiving component in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of an alternative cable receiving componentin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter areshown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presentlydisclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications andother embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thepresently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of theteachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosedsubject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodimentsdisclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended tobe included within the scope of the appended claims.

It will be appreciated that reference to “a”, “an” or other indefinitearticle in the present disclosure encompasses one or more than one ofthe described element. Thus, for example, reference to teeth mayencompass one or more sets of teeth, and so forth.

In the cable securing device 10 according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure as shown in FIGS. 1 through 14, elements as shown include: aretaining cap 20, a barrel 60 and a cable receiving component 40. Thecable receiving component 40 can include a spacer gland 100, a fasteningring 50 and a retaining jaw 200, or a subset thereof. The cablereceiving component 40 may be formed as individual elements joinedtogether or may be provided as an integrated cartridge.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a lanyard 15 is provided with a bodysegment 16, shank ball segment 17, clasp 18 and end loop segment 19. Thelanyard 15 may or may not be considered part of the cable securingdevice 10 depending upon the nature of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In various embodiments, the shank ball segment 17 isintegrally formed with the body segment 16 so as to provide a monolithicstructure, and the end loop segment 19 can be crimped or clasped as withclasp 18 so as to form a loop, which facilitates the secure connectionof a fish tape or other external device having a latch or othermechanism securable to the loop segment 19 for pulling, as described inmore detail hereafter. In various embodiments, the lanyard can be madeof steel or other rigid material. The shank ball segment 17 is formed ofa size appropriate to engage an interior surface portions (e.g., 71, 72)of an interior surface 24 of the retaining cap 20 (see FIG. 4). Thisfacilitates a secure engagement such that when the lanyard 15 is pulled,it will pull the barrel 60 and its contents during operation.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 9 and 11, the retaining cap 20 can be formed asa monolithic element with a head segment 21, an axially extending bodysegment 22, an outer surface 23 and an inner surface 24 defining a borehole 25 extending axially therethrough. The outer surface 18 of the bodysegment 22 can be provided with a threaded exterior as at 26, althoughin alternative embodiments, the body segment inner surface 24 can beprovided in threaded form. It will be appreciated that body segment 22is formed with a radially extending edge 27 that extends radiallyinwardly of the barrel interior surface 62 when connected with thebarrel 60, which permits the radially extending edge 27 of the bodysegment 22 to provide mating contact and resisting force to spacer gland100 during operation. The retaining cap inner surface 24 can be formedsuch that the bore hole 25 does not have a constant diameter, but ratherhas a diameter J associated with head segment 21 and a diameter Lassociated with body segment 32. As shown in FIG. 4, diameter J issmaller than diameter L, as the interior surface 72 of body segment 32associated with diameter L assists in retaining the shank ball segment17 of the lanyard during operation. The inner surface 24 of theretaining cap 20 can further be provided with an angled interior surfaceportion 71 extending from the interior surface portion 72 to the headsegment interior surface portion 73. Angled interior surface portion 71also assists in retaining the shank ball segment 17 of the lanyardduring operation. In addition to providing a resisting force to spacergland 100 during operation, the radially extending edge 27 of the bodysegment 22 can further assist in providing resisting force when a cable90 is inserted. The shank ball segment 17 (not shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 8and 11) can also contribute to providing resisting force to an insertedcable 90. Such resisting force prevents the cable 90 from being pinchedor otherwise deformed if it were to extend further into the bore hole 25of the retaining cap 20. In various embodiments, the retaining cap 20 ismade of steel or other rigid material and is formed with a radiallyinwardly extending ledge 29 at the base of the head segment 21, whereinthe ledge 29 extends to the body segment 22. The ledge 29 assists inproviding a stopping force against the barrel 60 when the retaining cap20 and barrel 60 are fully engaged.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, for example, embodiments of the barrel 60can be formed as a monolithic, single-body component with an exteriorsurface 61 and an interior surface 62 defining an interior cavity 63extending axially therethrough. The exterior surface 61 can besubstantially cylindrical, or tubular, as shown. A first end surface 64extends radially inwardly from the exterior surface 61 to an axiallyextending inner radial lip 65. A second end surface 66 of the barrel 60extends radially inwardly from the exterior surface 61 to an interioredge 67. In various embodiments, a portion 73 of the interior surface 62of the barrel 60 extends axially and radially inwardly from the interioredge 67 to a tapered edge 74. As shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 6, the barrel interior surface 62 has its largest diameter M atinner radial lip 65, which accommodates the retaining cap 20 duringoperation. The barrel interior surface 62 further tapers from a largerrelative diameter N at segment 68 to a tapering segment 69 having avariable diameter P, down to the axially extending inner radial lip 65.The segments 68 and 69 can meet at a radial inflection point 77, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example. The barrel interior surface 62 thushas a substantially cylindrical portion 610 and a substantiallyfrustoconical portion 612, with the substantially frustoconical portion612 shown at tapering segment 69. In various embodiments, diameter N isconstant and is larger than diameter P, and both diameters M and N arelarger than diameter P. The tapered interior surface 62 of barrel 60facilitates the operation of the retaining jaw 200 as described in moredetail hereafter. In various embodiments, the taper angle T is constantand can range from approximately ten degrees to approximately thirtydegrees, depending upon the implementation. For example, in situationswhere a shorter barrel 60 is required, angle T may be higher. In variousembodiments, the barrel 60 is formed of steel or other rigid material.

As shown in FIGS. 3 through 16, for example, embodiments of the spacergland 100 can be formed as a monolithic, single-body component with anexterior surface 105 and an interior surface 110 defining an interiorcavity extending axially therethrough. The exterior surface 105 can besubstantially cylindrical, or tubular, as shown. A first end surface 115extends radially inwardly from the exterior surface 105 to the interiorsurface 110 and is adapted to engage the radially extending edge 27 ofthe body segment 22 of the retaining cap 20 when installed. As shown inFIGS. 5, 8, and 10, in various embodiments, a second end surface 120 ofthe spacer gland 100 extends radially inwardly from the exterior surface105 to an angled inner ridge 125. The angled inner ridge 125 extendsradially and axially inwardly from the second end surface 120 to theinterior surface 110 and thus forms a frustoconical portion of theinterior surface 110 of the spacer gland 100. In various alternativeembodiments, as shown in FIGS. 12 through 14, the second end surface 120of the spacer gland 100 extends radially inwardly from the exteriorsurface 105 to an axially extending lip 130 having a radially inwardlyextending nub 132 formed thereon. In various embodiments, the nub 132 isformed with a substantially semi-circular cross-section for mating withan indentation 203 in the retaining jaw 200 as described elsewhereherein. The mating of the nub 132 with the indentation 203 facilitatesfixed engagement of the spacer gland with the retaining jaw. The axiallyextending lip 130 can be formed with a diameter that is larger than thediameter of the interior surface 110 of the spacer gland 100 in order toretain fastening ring 50 when fastening ring 50 is installed with thespacer gland 100. In various embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 12through 14, the axially extending lip 130 extends axially inwardly fromthe second end surface 120 of the spacer gland 100 to a radiallyinwardly extending ledge 135. The radially inwardly extending ledge 135provides a surface for mating with the first face 57 of the fasteningring base 52 as described elsewhere herein. In the embodiments of FIGS.12 through 14, the angled inner ridge 125 extends radially and axiallyinwardly from the radially inwardly extending ledge 135 to the interiorsurface 110. Regardless of embodiment, the angled inner ridge 125 canassist in providing resistance to the flexible teeth 56 of the fasteningring 50 during operation as described elsewhere herein. In variousembodiments, the spacer gland 100 is formed of steel or other rigidmaterial, and is resilient and not axially compressible.

As shown in FIGS. 5 through 16, for example, the fastening ring 50 canbe formed as a monolithic element including a fastening ring rim or base52 with a radially outer edge 54 and a radially inner surface 55defining a fastening ring cavity 500. When the elements 100, 50 and 200are inserted into the barrel 60, the first face 57 of the fastening ringbase 52 engages the second end 120 of the spacer gland 100 (see, e.g.,FIGS. 8 and 10) or the radially inwardly extending ledge 135 of thespacer gland 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 12), while the second face 58 of thefastening ring base 52 engages the end wall 215 of the retaining jaw200. The fastening ring 50 can be an integral, unsplit ring or can be asplit ring member. In the embodiments where the fastening ring is asplit ring, the fastening ring can include two circumferential endpoints (not shown) that do not connect, with fixture points for handlingand compressing the fastening ring, such that a tool designed to holdthe fastening ring at the fixture points can more easily handle andcompress the fastening ring in order to assist with assembly ordisassembly. In this embodiment, and once compressed, the fastening ringis easily insertable into the barrel 60 by releasing the hold on thefixture points, thereby allowing the fastening ring to expand such thatthe radially outer edge 54 engages the interior surface 62 of the barrel60. In various embodiments, the fastening ring 50 can comprise a springsteel formulation, for example, that enables the fastening ring to bemalformed during installation, while springing back into its originallymanufactured position once installed.

The fastening ring 50 is capable of grabbing an inserted cable's surfacevia two or more teeth 56. As shown in FIGS. 5 through 16, the fasteningring 50 includes a substantially cylindrical rim or base 52 that has aplurality of bifurcated or square edged teeth 56 extending axially andradially inwardly from the radially inner surface 55 of the fasteningring base 52. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, for example, the teeth 56extend toward the inner surface 110 of the spacer gland 100 when atrest. The teeth 56 of the fastening ring 50 can extend at various anglesfrom the base axis as measured when the teeth are at rest position andare not stressed by the insertion of a cable, for example. The number ofteeth can readily vary in number and size. In various embodiments, thefastening ring teeth 56 are angled radially and axially inwardly fromthe substantially cylindrical perimeter of the ring 50, toward thespacer gland 100 and away from the retaining jaw 200, such that when acable is inserted, the teeth 56 first extend radially outwardly topermit the cable to pass through, and then exert a pressure against thecable as it settles to discourage the cable from slipping or moving backout of the barrel 60. In various embodiments, each of the fastening ringteeth 56 is formed with a gripping edge 51, wherein the gripping edge 51extends radially inwardly into the barrel interior cavity to engage thecable during operation. In various embodiments, the outer surface 59 ofthe teeth 56 extend to an angled inner ridge 125 of the inner surface110 of the spacer gland 100 when stressed by the insertion of a cable,and then flex back in the opposite direction after the cable has beeninserted to thereby grip the inserted cable and resist any axialmovement of the cable back out of the barrel 60. The outer surface 59 ofthe teeth 56 may or may not contact the angled inner ridge 125 and/orinner surface 110 of the spacer gland 100 during operation. In variousembodiments, the fastening ring 50 assists in allowing the cablereceiving component 40 to securely engage an inserted cable while alsopreventing or minimizing any drifting of the cable once inserted, whichcan result in an unsatisfactory grip on an inserted cable.

As shown in FIGS. 3 through 16, the retaining jaw 200 can be provided invarious forms and, in various embodiments, the retaining jaw 200 isformed of steel or other rigid material. As shown in FIGS. 13 through16, for example, the retaining jaw 200 is provided as a unitary,monolithic element with an outer surface 205, an inner surface 210, anaxially exterior edge or leading edge 220 at its first axial end and atrailing edge at its second axial end in the form of an axiallyinterior, radially extending end wall 215. The outer surface 205 can beformed with an axially interior segment 207 and an axially exteriorsegment 209, wherein the axially interior segment 207 is substantiallycylindrical and the axially exterior segment 209 is substantiallyfrustoconical. In various embodiments, the axially exterior segment 209of the outer surface 205 extends at an angle so as to mate in slidingengagement with the substantially frustoconical portion 612 (i.e., thetapered internal surface 69) of the interior surface of the barrel 60during operation. The axially interior segment 207 can further be formedwith a groove or indentation 203 for mating with the nub 132 of thespacer gland 100 as described elsewhere herein. In embodiments of thedevice of the present disclosure such as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7through 10, no groove or indentation is formed in the outer surface 205of the retaining jaw 200. It will be appreciated that the cablereceiving component 40 can be provided as individual elements (e.g.,spacer gland 100, fastening ring 50 and retaining jaw 200) joinedtogether or as a single integrated cartridge, regardless of whetherformed with an indentation in the outer surface 205 of the retaining jaw200 and a nub 132 on the spacer gland 100 as shown in the drawings.

As further shown in FIGS. 13 through 16, the retaining jaw 200 is formedwith slots 222 defined by radially extending jaw walls 224 and axiallyextending jaw rims 226. The jaw rims 226 can be formed in the axiallyinterior segment 207 of the outer surface 205 of the retaining jaw 200and can extend radially to the inner surface 210 of the retaining jaw.The jaw walls 224 can extend axially outwardly from a position (e.g.,233 in FIGS. 15 and 16) that is axially between the end wall 215 and theexterior edge 220 to the exterior edge 220 of the retaining jaw 200.Thus, the slots 222 extend through the axially exterior segment 209 ofthe outer surface 205 of the retaining jaw 200 and a portion of theaxially interior segment 207 of the outer surface 205 of the retainingjaw 200. In the embodiment of the retaining jaw 200 as shown in FIG. 15,one of the slots can extend fully through the axially interior segment207 of the outer surface 205 of the retaining jaw 200 to form a split202. The split 202 can assist with manipulating the retaining jaw 200during installation, as the split 202 results in less resistance toradial compression of the retaining jaw 200 such that the retaining jaw200 may more readily be inserted into the barrel interior 62.

The slots 222 and/or split 202 form multiple jaw members, as shown inFIGS. 13 through 16. The number of jaw members can vary depending uponthe embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, three jaw members 241,242 and 243 are formed. In FIG. 16, four jaw members 251, 252, 253 and254 are formed. Regardless of number, each jaw member can be formed witha respective leading edge corresponding to exterior edge 220 at theaxially outer end of the jaw member and a gripping segment such as jawteeth 260. The jaw teeth 260 can be formed with riser segments 262 andradially inwardly extending ridges 264, wherein the riser segments 262extend radially and axially inwardly from the jaw walls 224 and whereinthe riser segments 262 and ridges 264 meet at a radially inner edge 265which forms a sharpened peak for pinching an inserted cable. In variousembodiments, the riser segments 262 are formed with a greater surfacearea than the ridges 264, which assists in facilitating the insertion ofa cable while also providing for significant gripping force after thecable has been inserted so as to resist movement of the cable axiallyoutwardly of the barrel 60.

FIGS. 4 through 12 illustrate different stages of operation of thedevice and assembly of the present disclosure. Prior to insertion of acable 90, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the device 15 is loaded such thatthe cable receiving component 40 (e.g., retaining jaw 200, fasteningring 50 and spacer gland 100) is inserted into the barrel 60. Forexample, the fastening ring 50 may be secured between the retaining jaw200 and spacer gland 100 as described above and shown in the drawings,and the retaining jaw 200 may be secured to the spacer gland 100 via thenub 132 and indentation 203 as shown in FIG. 14. The retaining jaw innersurface 210, the fastening ring radially inner surface 55 and the spacergland interior surface 110 define a cable receiving cavity 400. Asdisclosed elsewhere herein, the cable receiving component 40 cancomprise multiple elements assembled and positioned together or canalternatively comprise a single, pre-joined and integrated device.Regardless of form, the cable receiving component 40 can be insertedinto the barrel 60 such that the axially exterior segment 209 of theretaining jaw exterior surface 205 engages the tapered interior surface69 of the barrel 60. The retaining cap 20, with the lanyard body segment16 extending through the bore hole 25 in the retaining cap 20 such thatthe shank ball segment 17 is maintained within the interior of theretaining cap 20, is then secured to the barrel 60 such as by threadedengagement as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As the retaining cap 20 and barrel60 are secured, the radially extending edge 27 of the retaining cap bodymember 22 engages end surface 115 of the spacer gland 100, therebymaintaining the cable receiving component securely within the barrelinterior so as to prevent axial movement of the cable receivingcomponent during operation.

A cable 90 is inserted as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. While the cable 90 isshown in FIGS. 7 through 12 with insulation stripped so as to exposeinternal wires or other elements 95, it will be appreciated that theembodiments of the present disclosure work with and accommodate bothinsulated as well as uninsulated cables, wiring and other elements. Itwill be appreciated that the cable is not necessarily considered anelement of the device and component as presently disclosed.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and during operation, a cable 90 is insertedinto the opening of the barrel 60. The exposed portion 95 of the cable90 extends past the tapered edge 74 of the barrel 60 and past the edge220 and through the retaining jaw 200. The retaining jaw 200 ismaintained securely within the barrel 60 and does not slide axially asthe cable is inserted. The pressure from the inserted cable 90 againstthe jaw teeth 260 does not result in the retaining jaw 200 movingradially inwardly, yet the jaw teeth 260 maintain engagement with theinserted cable 95 while permitting the cable 95 to pass through.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, as the cable element 95 is pushed furtherinto the barrel 60, it passes the fastening ring 50 and spacer gland100. In doing so, the fastening ring teeth 56 are flexed radiallyoutwardly so as to permit the inserted cable element 95 to pass. Asdescribed elsewhere herein, the fastening ring teeth 56 may flex to thepoint of engaging angled inner ridge 125 of the spacer gland interiorsurface 110. The cable element 95 can extend until it reaches resistancefrom the radially extending edge 27 of the retaining cap body member 22.As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, once the cable element 95 is fullyinserted, any movement of the cable axially outwardly of the barrel 60is resisted by the fastening ring teeth 56 and the jaw teeth 260, and itwill be appreciated that the fastening ring teeth 56 will flex back fromthe position attained during insertion of the cable element 95 to aposition where the edges 51 of the teeth 56 pinch the inserted cableelement 95. At such time, the retaining jaw 200 is immediately andevenly engaged so as to remain in alignment and assist in securelyengaging the inserted cable. Further, at such time, a fish tape or otherdevice can be secured to the loop 12 in the rigid lanyard 15 for pullingthe cable 90, such as through or outside of a conduit.

It will be appreciated that the cable receiving component remains in asubstantially axially static position within the barrel when the deviceis fully assembled with the retaining cap fully secured to the barrel,regardless of the action of the inserted cable. Further, the threadedengagement of the retaining cap 20 with the barrel 60 permits ease ofassembly and disassembly of the device.

The angles, dimensions and materials described herein will be understoodto be exemplary and provided as embodiments associated with properworking operation of the device, assembly and method as presentlydisclosed. Further, it will be appreciated that, in various embodiments,the members of the device and assembly disclosed herein can be formedthrough hydroforming processes.

The device, assembly and method as presently disclosed may be embodiedin other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, thescope of the invention being indicated by the claims of the applicationrather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are thereforeintended to be embraced therein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cable securing device, comprising: abarrel comprising an interior surface comprising a substantiallycylindrical portion and a substantially frustoconical portion, whereinthe interior surface defines an interior cavity; a retaining cap securedto the barrel and comprising a body segment extending into the interiorcavity of the barrel, wherein the body segment comprises a radiallyextending edge; a spacer gland maintained within the substantiallycylindrical portion of the interior cavity of the barrel, wherein thespacer gland comprises first and second ends and an interior surfacedefining a spacer gland cavity; a retaining jaw maintained within thesubstantially cylindrical portion and the substantially frustoconicalportion of the interior cavity of the barrel, wherein the retaining jawcomprises a leading edge at a first axial end, a trailing edge at asecond axial end and a radially interior surface comprising a grippingsegment, wherein the retaining jaw further comprises an interior surfacedefining a retaining jaw cavity; and a fastening ring maintained withinthe interior cavity of the barrel between the second end of the spacergland and the trailing edge of the retaining jaw, wherein the fasteningring comprises a radially inner surface defining a fastening ringcavity, and wherein the spacer gland, the retaining jaw and thefastening ring are retained in a substantially axially static positionwithin the barrel upon insertion of a cable through the retaining jawcavity, the fastening ring cavity and the spacer gland cavity.
 2. Thecable securing device of claim 1, wherein the retaining jaw comprises anouter surface formed with an axially interior segment and an axiallyexterior segment, wherein the axially interior segment is substantiallycylindrical and the axially exterior segment is substantiallyfrustoconical, wherein the axially interior segment of the outer surfaceof the retaining jaw is maintained within the substantially cylindricalportion of the interior surface of the barrel and wherein the axiallyexterior segment of the retaining jaw is maintained within thesubstantially frustoconical portion of the interior surface of thebarrel.
 3. The cable securing device of claim 1, wherein the retainingjaw is formed with a plurality of slots defining a plurality of jawmembers, wherein the gripping segment comprises a plurality of jaw teethformed on each jaw member of the plurality of jaw members.
 4. The cablesecuring device of claim 3, wherein the retaining jaw is formed with asplit between two of the plurality of jaw members.
 5. The cable securingdevice of claim 1, wherein the fastening ring comprises a rim and a setof teeth extending toward the interior surface of the spacer gland. 6.The cable securing device of claim 1, wherein the spacer gland first endis in mating contact with the radially extending edge of the retainingcap.
 7. The cable securing device of claim 1, wherein the spacer glandis maintained within the substantially cylindrical portion of theinterior surface of the barrel.
 8. The cable securing device of claim 1,wherein the fastening ring is maintained within the substantiallycylindrical portion of the interior surface of the barrel.
 9. The cablesecuring device of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the spacergland is formed with a radially inwardly extending nub, wherein theaxially interior segment of the outer surface of the retaining jaw isformed with an indentation adapted to mate with the nub to facilitateengagement of the spacer gland with the retaining jaw.
 10. A cablesecuring device, comprising: a barrel comprising an interior surfacedefining an interior cavity, wherein the interior surface of the barrelcomprises a substantially frustoconical portion; a retaining cap securedto the barrel and comprising a body segment extending into the interiorcavity of the barrel, wherein the body segment comprises a radiallyextending edge; and a cable receiving component maintained within theinterior cavity of the barrel, wherein the cable receiving componentcomprises: a retaining jaw formed with a leading edge, a trailing edgeand an inner surface comprising a gripping segment; a fastening ringformed with a rim comprising a first face, a second face, a radiallyinner surface and fastening ring teeth, wherein the second face engagesthe trailing edge of the retaining jaw; and a spacer gland, wherein thespacer gland is formed with an interior surface, a first end and asecond end, wherein the second end of the spacer gland engages the firstface of the fastening ring, wherein the inner surface of the retainingjaw, the radially inner surface of the fastening ring and the interiorsurface of the spacer gland define a cable receiving cavity and areretained in a substantially axially static position within the barrelupon insertion of a cable into the cable receiving cavity, and whereinthe cable receiving component is maintained in substantially axiallystatic position between the retaining cap and the frustoconical portionof the interior surface of the barrel.
 11. The cable securing device ofclaim 10, wherein the cable receiving component is maintained insubstantially axially static position within the barrel by the retainingcap and the interior surface of the barrel.
 12. The cable securingdevice of claim 10, wherein the fastening ring teeth extending axiallyand radially inwardly from the fastening ring rim toward the interiorsurface of the spacer gland.
 13. The cable securing device of claim 10,wherein the interior surface of the spacer gland is frustoconical forsupporting the fastening ring teeth when a cable is inserted in thecable receiving cavity.
 14. The cable securing device of claim 10,wherein the retaining jaw, the fastening ring and the spacer gland areformed as a cartridge.
 15. The cable securing device of claim 10,wherein the retaining jaw is formed with a plurality of slots defining aplurality of jaw members, wherein the gripping segment comprises aplurality of jaw teeth formed on each jaw member of the plurality of jawmembers.
 16. The cable securing device of claim 15, wherein theretaining jaw is formed with a split between two of the plurality of jawmembers.
 17. The cable securing device of claim 10, wherein the interiorsurface of the spacer gland is formed with a radially inwardly extendingnub, wherein the retaining jaw has an outer surface and wherein theouter surface of the retaining jaw is formed with an indentation adaptedto mate with the nub to facilitate engagement of the spacer gland withthe retaining jaw.
 18. The cable securing device of claim 10, whereinthe spacer gland first end engages the radially extending edge of thebody segment of the retaining cap.
 19. The cable securing device ofclaim 10, wherein the spacer gland and the fastening ring are maintainedwithin a substantially cylindrical portion of the interior surface ofthe barrel.
 20. A cable securing device, comprising: a barrel comprisingan interior surface defining an interior cavity; a retaining cap securedto the barrel and comprising a body segment extending into the interiorcavity of the barrel, wherein the body segment comprises a radiallyextending edge; and a cable receiving component maintained within theinterior cavity of the barrel, wherein the cable receiving componentcomprises: a retaining jaw formed with a leading edge, a trailing edgeand an inner surface comprising a gripping segment, wherein theretaining jaw is formed with a plurality of slots defining a pluralityof jaw members, wherein the gripping segment comprises a plurality ofjaw teeth formed on each jaw member of the plurality of jaw members; afastening ring formed with a rim comprising a first face, a second face,a radially inner surface and fastening ring teeth, wherein the secondface engages the trailing edge of the retaining jaw; and a spacer gland,wherein the spacer gland is formed with an interior surface, a first endand a second end, wherein the second end of the spacer gland engages thefirst face of the fastening ring, wherein the inner surface of theretaining jaw, the radially inner surface of the fastening ring and theinterior surface of the spacer gland define a cable receiving cavity andare retained in a substantially axially static position within thebarrel upon insertion of a cable into the cable receiving cavity.
 21. Acable securing device, comprising: a barrel comprising an interiorsurface defining an interior cavity; a retaining cap secured to thebarrel and comprising a body segment extending into the interior cavityof the barrel, wherein the body segment comprises a radially extendingedge; and a cable receiving component maintained within the interiorcavity of the barrel, wherein the cable receiving component comprises: aretaining jaw formed with a leading edge, a trailing edge, an outersurface and an inner surface comprising a gripping segment; a fasteningring formed with a rim comprising a first face, a second face, aradially inner surface and fastening ring teeth, wherein the second faceengages the trailing edge of the retaining jaw; and a spacer gland,wherein the spacer gland is formed with an interior surface, a first endand a second end, wherein the second end of the spacer gland engages thefirst face of the fastening ring, wherein the interior surface of thespacer gland is formed with a radially inwardly extending nub, whereinthe inner surface of the retaining jaw, the radially inner surface ofthe fastening ring and the interior surface of the spacer gland define acable receiving cavity and are retained in a substantially axiallystatic position within the barrel upon insertion of a cable into thecable receiving cavity, and wherein the outer surface of the retainingjaw is formed with an indentation adapted to mate with the nub tofacilitate engagement of the spacer gland with the retaining jaw.
 22. Acable securing device, comprising: a barrel comprising an interiorsurface defining an interior cavity; a retaining cap secured to thebarrel and comprising a body segment extending into the interior cavityof the barrel, wherein the body segment comprises a radially extendingedge; and a cable receiving component maintained within the interiorcavity of the barrel, wherein the cable receiving component comprises: aretaining jaw formed with a leading edge, a trailing edge and an innersurface comprising a gripping segment; a fastening ring formed with arim comprising a first face, a second face, a radially inner surface andfastening ring teeth, wherein the second face engages the trailing edgeof the retaining jaw; and a spacer gland, wherein the spacer gland isformed with an interior surface, a first end and a second end, whereinthe second end of the spacer gland engages the first face of thefastening ring, wherein the spacer gland first end engages the radiallyextending edge of the body segment of the retaining cap, wherein theinner surface of the retaining jaw, the radially inner surface of thefastening ring and the interior surface of the spacer gland define acable receiving cavity and are retained in a substantially axiallystatic position within the barrel upon insertion of a cable into thecable receiving cavity.